From its humble beginnings, games have slowly become an integral part of our lives, providing countless hours of fun for billions of people worldwide. From epic adventures in high fantasy worlds to team-based strategic battles, games come in many forms and platforms, which helped cement gaming as a versatile hobby.
But have you ever wondered what goes into creating these virtual worlds? The answer lies in the dedicated work of game developers!
In today’s increasingly digital life, game development has emerged as a thriving industry thanks to recent technological advancements (like wireless networks and smartphones) and a growing demand for new gaming experiences.
According to the US Bureau of Labor, the field of software development – which includes game development – currently experiences a high demand for developers, being expected to grow even faster in the coming years. But what is a game developer, after all? What do they do, how to become one, and how much are they paid?
You will find the answer to all these questions in this article we prepared just for you!
What is a game developer?
Game development is a relatively broad area, but it is all about bringing games to life. In short, the professionals called “game developers” are the masterminds behind the games you love and hate. They are responsible for designing, programming, creating all the assets with which the player will interact, testing the game, and packaging everything into an engaging experience.
Is there any difference between a developer and a programmer?
Game development is a broad term that encompasses many aspects of game creation, like design, storytelling, art direction, asset creation, and much more. Thus, game developers work closely with many professionals, like designers, programmers, and artists, to bring games to life.
Game programmers, on the other hand, are specialists who work on the game’s technical implementation, dealing with those pesky programming languages all day and all night. They are the minds behind the game’s core functionality, artificial intelligence for NPCs, user interfaces, and even the engine itself – though most use ones like Unity, Godot, or Unreal Engine.
In short, developers are like architects to plan and oversee the game creation process while programmers are akin to engineers, who must ensure that all parts work together seamlessly.
Ultimately, even though both terms refer to roles with slight differences in their responsibilities, they can be used interchangeably in most situations as many of their tasks overlap. This is especially the case for those working in the indie game development scene, where individuals often take on both roles at the same time.
Required skills to become a game developer
Becoming a game developer is no easy task, requiring an interesting combination of technical and creative skills. Here are some essential skills that aspiring developers should learn:
- Programming: having a strong grasp of languages like C++ (Unreal Engine), C# (Unity), or GDScript (Godot) is critical for game development. Additionally, knowing how to wield some scripting languages, like TypeScript, Python, and JavaScript, helps you stand out in this competitive job market;
- Computer science fundamentals: knowledge of data structures, software engineering principles, and some popular algorithms (like min-max, A* pathfinding, and collision detection) is crucial for implementing game mechanics;
- Debugging: even the most experienced programmers aren’t immune to making coding mistakes, which usually manifest as “bugs.” The ability to quickly identify and resolve these issues within the code is crucial to ensure a polished game and provide a smooth experience for players;
- Game engine proficiency: game engines are the backbone of the gaming industry, so knowing your way with at least a popular game engine, like Unity, Unreal, or Godot, is essential. A solid grasp of the engine’s workflow, tools, and some obscure tricks allows developers to bring the design’s team vision to life at greater speeds;
- Strong problem-solving skills: being able to think critically, break a task down into smaller, bite-sized chunks, and overcome technical obstacles is paramount in game development;
- Mathematics and physics: a solid understanding of linear algebra, geometry, trigonometry, and kinematics is beneficial for many aspects of game development. This is especially true if you’re working on physics simulations, collision detection algorithms, and AI behavior for your game’s NPCs;
- Collaboration and communication: more often than not, game development is a collaborative process that involves working with professionals in other areas, like artists, designers, and even people in charge of marketing the game. Being able to communicate your ideas and concerns effectively and work as one towards a shared vision is a crucial skill to possess;
- Adaptability: as happening right now in many IT-related areas, the industry landscape is in constant evolution, with new technologies, tools, and trends emerging and vanishing all the time. For example, the recent boom in AI-powered technology could be of great help to developers, allowing them to cut down on costs and time.
Do I need a degree to work in game development?
Indeed, having a degree in a relevant field, like software engineering, computer science, or game design, can provide a solid foundation for a career, but it’s not a strict requirement. Generally speaking, the gaming industry values a strong portfolio, lots of experience, and varied practical skills more than formal education alone.
In fact, many successful game developers got a job by taking advantage of the abundance of learning resources available on the internet, like affordable courses (like those you’ll find on Udemy, edX, and Coursera), video tutorials, and forums to self-learn these valuable skills.
It’s possible to get up to speed by keeping an eye out for game jams and working on personal projects to add to your portfolio. Don’t be afraid to use publicly available assets and start small, like programming a 3D character’s controls or creating your classic game clone (like Pac-Man, Tetris, Bomberman, or Frogger, but with a twist) before moving on to original, more complex projects.
Another way of getting into the industry is to start as a quality assurance (QA) tester, a professional who tests games for bugs, exploits, quality control, and other flaws. This is an entry-level role, but sometimes half the battle is getting into the industry before aiming for more ambitious roles.
In the end, what matters most in game development is your ability to translate the designers’ vision into something tangible. Having said that, a degree under your belt is always great at helping you stay competitive, and the lack of formal education might be a hindrance the further you progress in your career, with the highest-paying jobs often being out of reach for those without a degree.
Game developer salary: how high is it?
According to community-sourced data on Glassdoor, the average salary of a game developer stands at an impressive $78,352 a year. Novices in the industry can expect to make as low as $49,000 a year, but senior-level professionals with decades worth of experience under their belt can make upwards of $150,000 a year!
Exploring the Role of Game Developers in the Video Game Industry
A game developer is a crucial figure in the video game industry, responsible for bringing the vision of a game designer to life through technical expertise and creative problem-solving. Game developers typically have a background in software development or a related field such as computer science.
They possess a range of technical skills, including programming, game design and development, and proficiency in various game engines. Many game developers obtain a bachelor’s degree in computer science or a related field to equip themselves with the necessary skills and knowledge for a career in video game development.
The job outlook for game developers is promising, with the average game developer salary being competitive, especially in regions like the United States where the game industry is thriving. Game developers work on diverse projects, from building game characters to programming game assets, and they play a pivotal role in creating engaging gaming experiences for a global audience.
As members of the game development community, game developers often collaborate with other professionals, including game designers, artists, and testers, to ensure the successful completion of game projects. In essence, a game developer is a software engineer with a passion for gaming, dedicated to making the interactive worlds of video games come to life.
Closing thoughts
As seen in this article, “game developer” can refer to two slightly different, yet ultimately similar roles in a game’s creation process. They are mostly known for the logical implementation of game mechanics through code, but can also refer to those working on designing and creating the assets that will be used in the game.
Becoming a game developer is a tough, but exciting journey that requires continuous learning and serious dedication. A degree isn’t an absolute requirement – many game developers only had a strong portfolio, good connections, and lots of dedication before they made it into the industry – but we can’t say it doesn’t help. All in all, there’s no single path to becoming a game developer!
If you’re passionate about game development and have an exhilarating idea in mind, look no further than Main Leaf. We’re a renowned game studio with over a decade of experience in the gaming industry, and we’d be happy to lend you a hand. With more than 70 talented professionals at our disposal, we’re experts in all things game development – offering a one-stop solution for all your troubles.
Whether you’re an aspiring game developer, an established studio looking for fast and affordable outsourcing solutions, or someone looking to turn a game idea into something people will love, Main Leaf is here to help you out. Contact us below and let’s work to bring the next gaming masterpieces together!
